Bangor Permits School At Park Despite Protests

September 07, 1988|by NANCY J. FREEMAN, The Morning Call

After a nearly three-hour public free-for-all, Bangor Borough Council last night voted 8-3 to amend its zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan to permit construction of a 750-student elementary school by the Bangor Area School District at Bangor Memorial Park.

The zoning amendment makes the school, to be built along S. 10th St. between Market St. and Broadway, a permitted use rather than a special exception use as it was previously. A special exception use requires the granting of a variance by the Zoning Hearing Board, while a permitted use needs no approval by the zoners.

The school district postponed a hearing on the controversial project before the board earlier this summer.

About 50 residents attended last night's council meeting, which was preceded by a public hearing on the proposed amendment and comprehensive plan update.

Citizens were permitted to offer comment in an orderly fashion during the hearing. But at the subsequent council meeting, discussion on the school issue frequently degenerated into name-calling, unauthorized debate, rehashing of previous actions and speculation.

During the hearing, Dr. Matthew Sabatine of 115 S. 10th St. presented a petition on behalf of S. 10th St. residents who oppose creation of a parking lot along their street.

Attorney David Ceraul, 986 Broadway, questioned council on removing the power from the Zoning Hearing Board through its action. "I don't think in good conscience you should submit (the proposed school project) to yourselves (for approval)," he said.

Carolyn Reedy, 403 S. 7th St., observed that the borough's existing zoning and land development philosophy was created to promote the most appropriate and desirable land use. "I don't personally feel this site is in the best interest of the children because of Route 512 ," she said.

She and others said traffic along Route 512 posed a safety threat.

Voting in favor of the amendment and plan update were Council President Sherwood Holland, Michael Moore, Scott Miller, Ed Demansky, Kenneth Miller, George Handelong, Ralph Bonney and Harold Houck.

Opposing the action were Shawn Tice, Carol Cuono and Erdman.

In a related action, Holland removed Cuono as council's liaison to the Park Board, saying the board will present its own minutes and financial reports to council at subsequent meetings.

The new Park Board, appointed several months ago after the old board resigned amidst the school controversy, sought Cuono's removal last month.

Cuono received a hand-delivered letter from Holland yesterday informing her of his decision.

She said will continue to attend Park Board meetings anyway. Cuono said she could understand if she had been removed "because I didn't do my job" but felt the action came because she opposed putting a school at the park.